Soap Lake prepares for avian flu

City on waiting list for treatment rounds

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake began taking precautions for a possible avian flu epidemic Wednesday.

Grant County Health District Public Health Consultant Roger Arango urged the council to prepare themselves for avian flu by purchasing several courses of treatment.

Grant County could be overwhelmed if avian flu hits, he said.

"We anticipate losing a fair amount of citizens," Arango said.

If Grant County experiences a serious wave of the illness, approximately 35 percent of the population might suffer from it while two percent could die, he said.

He recommended the city purchase several rounds of Tamiflu. It is 10 pills taken over a five day period and enhances survival if taken within 48 hours of symptoms. City employees must protect themselves from the illness to maintain continuity of the city, he added. Others include police department and fire department employees. If council members and law enforcement are out sick, there is no one to make decisions during a time of crisis or to protect citizens.

"With as small as Soap Lake is, if we start to break down, we crash," Police Chief Jim Dorris said.

City Attorney Jim Whitaker put it in perspective for the council by talking about the 1918 influenza outbreak.

It is possible for avian flu to come to Soap Lake since it is so easy for animals to travel from one part of the country to another.

"The problem comes from the animal element because they can't be quarantined," he said.

The council approved to reserve 120 courses of Tamiflu. There is no financial obligation for the city right now. This approval puts them on a waiting list to purchase the medication if necessary.

Council Member DeVaun Black was absent from the meeting and Marina Romary did not vote on the issue because she had to take a phone call.

Each round of treatment costs approximately $15.

"This is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy," Arango said.